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Current Operations

Defense Policy / Programs

• Ministry of Defence Sheds Light on Heightened Reconnaissance Activity Near Russia's Borders in 2020 Sputnik 01 Jan 2021 -- Russia's radio-technical troops are an arm of the Russian Aerospace Forces, outfitted with radar equipment and designed to conduct reconnaissance of enemy aerospace attack assets.
• Year End Review – 2020 Ministry of Defence India PIB 01 Jan 2021
• IRGC commander: Iran ready to properly react to every scenario IRNA 01 Jan 2021 -- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami said Iran is ready for every scenario, noting that the enemies' movements in the region is the outcome of their last year mistake in assassinating the late Quds Forces commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.
• Iran has braced itself to face any possible scenario, IRGC chief says Press TV 01 Jan 2021 -- The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned the United States against any provocative moves in the Persian Gulf, emphasizing that the Islam Republic stands fully prepared for any possible scenario.
• IRGC Says Iran Has 'No Worries' About Any Foreign Adversary as US Carrier Group Heads Home Sputnik 01 Jan 2021 -- On Thursday, the Pentagon announced that the carrier strike group led by the USS Nimitz, the sole US aircraft carrier in the Middle East, would be heading home following a deployment of nearly 10 months. The drawdown comes despite rising tensions between the US and Iran, and the recent deployment of US bombers and a missile sub to the region.
• Japan Plans to Develop Unmanned Fighter Aircraft by 2035, Reports Say Sputnik 01 Jan 2021 -- Japan has started developing unmanned, remotely-controlled fighter aircraft and plans to equip the military with them by 2035 in light of China's advancements in military technologies, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Friday.
• The Army Command issued a press release stating that the media reported that "the M41D chariot arrived in Kinmen to replace the old one. There are doubts about the safety of the explosion." ROC MND 01 Jan 2021 -- In response to media reports that "M41D tanks arrived in Kinmen to replace old tanks, there are concerns about explosion safety." The Army Command stated today (1) that the content of the report does not match the facts. The replacement of the M41D tanks is based on the actual needs of the outer islands. , To be handed in after the completion of the whole vehicle inspection and strict testing.

Defense Industry

Other Conflicts

• Yemen: Fatal airport attack 'potentially amounts to a war crime' – UN envoy UN News 01 Jan 2021 -- On the last day of a year that has continued to brutalize the war-torn people of Yemen, UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths condemned a "despicable attack" on the country's newly formed government as they arrived at Aden airport on Wednesday.
• Houthi hails 'balanced deterrence' against Saudi Arabia, predicts 'victory' for Yemen Press TV 01 Jan 2021 -- A member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council says Yemeni armed forces have pulled off a "balanced deterrence campaign" after years of fighting off a Saudi-led aggression.
• Saudi warplanes bomb Yemeni capital after blast at Aden airport Press TV 01 Jan 2021 -- Saudi warplanes have bombarded targets in Yemen's capital Sana'a, a day after a large explosion struck the airport in the southern port city of Aden as a plane carrying members of the newly formed Saudi-backed cabinet landed there.
• Cameroon's President Praises Return to Peace VOA 01 Jan 2021 -- Cameroonian President Paul Biya said in a December 31 address to the nation that newfound collaboration between his military and civilians has greatly contributed to bringing about peace in the troubled English-speaking regions of the country. The president spoke of the impact of the novel coronavirus.

News Reports

• Suspected Russian Hackers Behind Massive Breach Accessed Microsoft's Source Code RFE/RL 01 Jan 2021 -- Suspected Russian government hackers behind a massive intrusion of government and private company networks were able to gain access into Microsoft's source code, a key building block for software or operating systems, the tech giant said on December 31.
• Serbian President Opens Key Section Of Russia-Led Balkan Pipeline RFE/RL 01 Jan 2021 -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has presided over the ceremonial opening of the Serbian section of the Russia-led Balkan Stream natural-gas pipeline.
• TurkStream Able to Transmit 454Bln Cubic Feet of Gas Per Year Through Serbia Sputnik 01 Jan 2021 -- A pipeline that connects Bulgaria and Hungary through Serbia to deliver Russian gas via TurkStream will be able to transfer up to 12.87 billion cubic meters (454 billion cubic feet) a year after the pipeline is connected to Hungary's gas transmission system, operating company Gastrans said on Friday.
• The Telegram App Gives Voice To The Oppressed In Belarus And Russia. But Hate Groups Are Using It Too. RFE/RL 01 Jan 2021 -- In a year marked by tightened restrictions and unrest, Telegram sent a clear message to authoritarian governments who tried to keep it quiet in 2020. But as the app, which has earned a reputation as a free-speech platform, looks to spread the word in Iran and China, its popularity among messengers of violence and hate remains a concern.
• US sanctions have no legal effect on the mainland and Hong Kong: China's banking regulator Global Times 01 Jan 2021 -- US sanctions have no legal effect on the Chinese mainland and in Hong Kong, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) addressed in its statement on Thursday, stressing that sovereignty is essentially non-negotiable and core interests are impossible to be compromised.
• Hong Kong Activist Agnes Chow Moved to Top Security Prison: Report Radio Free Asia 01 Jan 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have transferred 24-year-old democracy activist Agnes Chow to a top-security prison that places Category A prisoners convicted of violent crime in solitary confinement, according to the city's Apple Daily newspaper.
• EU-China Investment Deal Threatens US-Europe Relations VOA 01 Jan 2021 -- has received an unwelcome housewarming gift from the European Union in the form of a wide-ranging investment treaty agreed to in principle between the EU and China.
• Foreign Ministry: Iran won't rest until bringing Gen. Soleimani's assassins to justice IRNA 01 Jan 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry in a message stressed that Iran will not rest until perpetrators of assassinating Lieutenant General Qasem Soleimani are brought to justice.
• IRGC commdr: Gen. Soleimani, a hero who defeated hegemonic powers IRNA 01 Jan 2021 -- Commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Esmail Qa'ani described the martyred commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani as a hero of the Islamic Ummah who defeated the hegemonic powers.
• Iran won't relent until culprits in Gen. Soleimani assassination brought to justice: Foreign Ministry Press TV 01 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again censured the United States for committing a "craven act of terror" against top legendary Iranian commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, vowing to prosecute the culprits in his assassination.
• Iran Says Soleimani's Killers Are Not 'Immune From Justice' RFE/RL 01 Jan 2021 -- The head of Iran's judiciary has said that those who carried out the targeted killing of a top Iranian military commander one year ago are "not safe on Earth."
• Iran gasoline exports hit $1.4b in 7 months IRNA 01 Jan 2021 -- Iran as an active exporter in the Middle East region could earn about 1.4 billion dollars from gasoline export during the seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-October 21).
• Iran warns of 'US military adventurism' in Persian Gulf in letter to UN Security Council Press TV 01 Jan 2021 -- Iran's Permanent Mission to the United Nations (UN) in New York has warned against the United States' "military adventurism" and recent provocative moves in the Persian Gulf region, at a time that the administration of lame duck US President Donald Trump nears its final days.
• Iran Plans To Increase Uranium Enrichment To Up To 20 Percent, Russia's Envoy To IAEA Says RFE/RL 01 Jan 2021 -- Iran has said it intends to enrich uranium to up to 20 percent purity, according to Russia's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Iran Tells IAEA It Plans to Push Uranium Enrichment Up to 20%, the Level Achieved Before JCPOA Sputnik 01 Jan 2021 -- Under the deal reached between Iran with major powers in 2015, it could only enrich uranium up to 3.67 percent.
• Removing the Cuban Military's Grip from Cuba's Banking Sector US Dept. of State 01 Jan 2021 -- "Today, the Department of State is announcing the addition of Banco Financiero International S.A. (BFI) to the Cuba Restricted List, effective upon publication in early January."
• Kazakh president vows to continue reforms in New Year message People's Daily 01 Jan 2021 -- Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hailed the achievements of his country over the past year and vowed to continue reforms in 2021 in his New Year address.
• Moldova's President Names Acting Prime Minister, Repeats Call For Snap Parliamentary Elections RFE/RL 01 Jan 2021 -- Moldovan President Maia Sandu has appointed Foreign Minister Aurel Ciocoi as acting prime minister.
• Mali Prosecutors Charge Ex-Prime Minister With Coup Attempt, Reports Say Sputnik 01 Jan 2021 -- The prosecutor's office of Mali on Thursday charged six people, among them former Prime Minister Boubou Cisse, for attempting to organize a coup in August, French public radio broadcaster RFI reported.
• Nigerians Hopeful but Skeptical as Buhari Opens New Year With Promises VOA 01 Jan 2021 -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the nation on New Year's Day, pledging to tackle security problems, revive the economy and distribute coronavirus vaccines. But some Nigerians are skeptical Buhari and his government can live up to the promises.